Locking device for the sliding members of extensible frames



1948- D. A. EBERHARDT 2,455,054

LOCKING DEVICE FOR THh SLIDING MEMBERS OF EXTENSIBLE FRAMES Filed Dec. 11. 1947 FIG. I

INVENTOR DANIEL A. EBERHARDT BY XW ATTORNEY Patented Dec. 14, 1948 LOCKING DEVICE FOR THE SLIDING MEM- BEES F EXTENSIBLE FRAMES Daniel A. Eberhardt, St. Louis, Mo.

Application December 11, 1947, Serial No. 791,084

3 Claims. (01. 28758) This invention relates to an improved clamp or look for securing the extendible members'of an extensible frame, such as a trouser creaser, in selected positions.

More specifically, the invention pertains to an improvement to the device disclosed in U. S. Patent No. 2,294,967 for Adjustable rod joint, issued September 8, 1942, to Daniel A. Eberhardt. The improvement resides, in part, in the provision of a clamp which while permitting thefree movement of the members outwardly to an extended position, automatically operatesto prevent their movement inwardly to a closed or contracted position. In the patented device the clamp or look is operative, when in its clamping position, to secure the adjustable section of theframe against movement in both directions.

It is an object of the invention to provide a clamp or look of the character described which is economical to manufacture, and which is efficient in service and lasting in wear.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the specification proceeds anda more comprehensive understanding of the invention will be afforded from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a plan view of a trouser creaser embodying the instant invention, i

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a clamp or locking device embodying the instant invention and showing the parts thereof,

Figs. 3 and 4 are plan views of the clamp shown in Fig. 2, showing, respectively, the relationship of the parts in clamping position and released position, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the clamp shown in Fig. 2, illustrating the same in modified form.

For the purpose of disclosing preferred embodiments of the invention, the same has been shown and now will be described in connection with its use as a part of a trouser creaser. With reference to Fig. 1, this device takes the form of an extensible frame, which is wel1 known in the art. Here, two thin strips II and I2, of material such as steel, are formed, respectively, with top arms I3 and I4 and bottom arms I5 and I6. The arms of the creaser may be associated with each other in one of several ways, one of which will be described for the top arms of the device, only. As shown in Fig. '3, the arm I4 has fixed to its end a sleeve II in which the arm I3 is free to slide. Similarly, a sleeve I8 (Fig. 1) is attached to the end of the arm I3 in which sleeve the arm I4 is free to slide. With this arrangement of the parts, the arms are held together closely and are free to move relative to each other. A clamp or locking device I9 is positioned with respect to each of the arms I3 and I4 to hold them against relative movement in selected positions.

In a similar manner, the bottom arms I5 and I6 are held together by two sleeves 2| and 22 and are provided with a clamp or lock 23 which is identical with the clamp I9.

Thus, the trouser creaser is provided with top and bottom elements which are extendible to move the strips I I and I2 in the leg of the trouser to stretch and crease the same. For this particular type of extensible frame, it is not required that the arms of the device be locked against outward movement. On the contrary it is desirable that they be free to move to extend the frame and that they be locked against inward or contracting movement, only, at any extended position, within the limit of their movement, to which they are urged. The clamps'or locks I9 and 23 of the structure just described, which perform this required function and which form the subject matter of the instant invention, are

identical and only one will be described in its preferred and modified forms.

Referring to the clamp I9, as viewed in Fig. 2, the same comprises a key 24 in which a slot 25 is made to receive the arm I3. The slot 25 is slightly larger than the arm I3 and the key 24 is thus free to rock on the arm I3 as indicated by the arrows in Figs. 3 and 4. The arm I4 is made with a bowed section 26 to which a key mounting member 21 is pivotally attached. The key mounting member 21 is formed from a flat strip of material and has a section 28 which lies substantially parallel with the arm I3. A second section 29 of the member 21 is normal to the arm I3 and has a slot 3| therein through which the said arm passes. A slot 32 in the section 28 also provides an opening through which the member I4 (particularly the bent section 26 thereof) passes. Further, the section 28 has another opening 33 therein through which a pin-like portion 34 of the key 24 is passed to pivotally connect the said key to the member 21, the key 24 being biased to its normal locking position (Fig. 3) by means of a coil spring 35 surrounding the member I3 and acting between the section 29 and the key 24.

With this arrangement of the parts the key 24 may be rocked about the arm I3 and due to the action of the spring 35, just described, the same is urged into its normal or looking position as illustrated in Fig. 3. In this position the arms l3 and M are free to move outward, but the walls of the slot 25, being at an angle with the faces of the arm 13, present sharp edges which engage the latter and prevent inward relative movement of the arms.

When the key 24' is moved to the position it occupies in Fig. 4, the walls of the slot 25 are substantially parallel with the faces of the arm i3 and the l'atterLisI freei'to move'. in either direction in the key, 'Io-hold the key in its releasing position requires the continuous application of a force applied in the direction indicated by the arrows in Fig. 3. When this force-is removedth-e spring 35 forces the key back to its :normal'locking position.

In one of its modifications, the locking' devioe, illustrated in Figs. 2 to 4 .takes the;tormoillustrated in Fig. 5. Here, the distinguishing' feature resides in a differently shaped key 36, thearms l3 and I4, the sleeve 1'], the bowed section 26, the. key. mounting :member 29. :andthe: spring I 35 beingithe same as fishown-mvEigs. '.2--to- 4. :The key-:36 difiers: from the key 24 -only invtheizfact thatathumbtab 311m formed. .as-a; part thereof which-lies substantially parallel to. the arm= 13. In this modification of. the invention the releasing forceof the keyis :appliedessential'ly. the same manner as it: is "for the modification of the invention previously described. The iadditionoof the thumhtab to .the key, however, makes iteasy to apply-this.- force.

tvarious' changes may be made: in the. details-of construction, within. .the..scope..-of thev appended claimsswithout departing fromsthespirittof this invention. :Earts. of. the, invention. may be used without: the whole .and improvements may -.be addedcwhile retainingsome or a1l-of .the. advan-s tagesnf .the .invention. 1

What .is .claimed is:

1... In .an. extendibleframe having. two.arms.with means. for holding. Ithearms in substantiallyparallelabutting.relationshiprwith each other and slidableone with respect to...the. other,-. a,.clan;1p for lockingthesaid armslagainst relative..,-movement in onedirection comprising-akey'. having. an opening therein through ,which.1a..'first.of .said arms is,..passed,. said openingv being. dimensioned proportionately to'the dimensions of said'first armobut larger in area' than the crossrse'ctional area of the'first arm, a bowed sectionformed" in the. second of said arms,.a' key mounting member supported fromsaid bowed. section and having first and. second .sections'rpara'llel and normal,

respectively, to the first of said arms, said first section having a slot therein to receive said second arm and said second section having a slot therein to receive said first arm, means for pivotally connecting said key to said key mounting member, and a spring acting between said second section of said key mounting member and said key to bias the latter into a normal locking 112051171011.

2."*A "clampfor'locking two slidable arms held .together in substantially parallel abutting relaftionship one with the other, comprising a key ihavingsanr opening therein through which a first OEFSaiGMIIIISiSf'PaSSECI, said opening being dimensioned proportionately to the dimensions of said 'firstarmbut'larger in area than the cross-sew *tional -.ar.ea..-of nthetfirst arm, a bowed section formed in the second of said arms, a key mounting member supported from said bowed section and having first and asecond sections parallel andrnormalzrespectively, to the first pisaids arms, said'ifirst-ssectioni haizingra islet therein; to receive saids seoon d-.=.arm:;and'-. said. second section-having a slot therein to receive said first, arm, means for pivotally:connecting' said key to sai'd'key mounting-memberpand a springsacting..-between. said sec: ondssection of saidi-ikey mounting. member'. and said key] to tbiasrthe (latter-into; a normal locking position.

3.-.In amextendible'frame having twoarms with means for holding the arms in substantially parallel relationshipwith each other-and slidable one with respecttothe other, a-clampfor locking theasaidaarms against relative movement in .-one direction-comprisinga key:having an opening therein through which iafirst. oisaid arms. is passed, said opening .beingdimensioned proportionately,..to.-the.dimensions of. said first arm but larger in..area .than the. cross-sectional .area. of the firstlarm, iaobowed section. iormedin. the sec- 0nd of said arms,.a key mountmgmemberhaving separate .slots therein. through which is ,passed in one instance the 'firstarm and in another instance .the. second. .arm, ,said. first arm, being s'lid'ableWithin its slot in the .key mounting member,...means.'.for pivotally connecting said key to said key mounting member, .and spring means operative against said key mounting member and said key to move the latter element into a normal locking, position.

IDANIEL: A.- EBERHARDT.

No references cited. 

